This story takes place in 1943 in Amsterdam during the German Occupation. Hanneke works for Mr. Kreuk, the undertaker who sends her to deliver contraband from the black market. During one of these deliveries, Mrs. Janssen asks her to find a girl who had been hiding her pantry but disappeared. She was wearing a blue coat. Hanneke's search soon brings her to the Resistance and her eyes are opened to the horrors the Germans are bringing upon the Dutch Jews. I listened to it. Natalia Payne's narration was beautifully done. The German and Dutch names I'm sure were a challenge. This is a powerful work of historical fiction. At the end of the novel, Hesse gives a historical perspective sorting out what was based on historical fact and what was from her imagination. There are many great novels about the Holocaust, especially for teens. This book belongs on that list.
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Josie Moraine is a recent high school graduate who lives in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1950. She has a tough life as the daughter of a brothel prostitute. She lives above a bookshop owned by author Charlie Marlowe and works at the shop with Charlie's son, Patrick. In the mornings, she cleans Willie Woodley's - uh, place of business. On New Year's Eve, a gentleman from Memphis comes into the book shop to buy two books: a book of poetry by Keats and David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. While purchasing the books, the gentleman encourages Josie to go to college - something she never gave much thought about before. The following day she learns that he had died. This is a fantastic read. There are so many complex characters from Willie, Charlie, Jesse, Patrick, and the oh, so creepy Mr. Lockwell. Josie is such a strong character, although I am certain she would not consider herself that. I recommend this novel to more mature teens and adults. Sacajawea and William Clark tell Jean Baptiste Charbonneau of their adventures exploring the West during the Corps of Discovery. It delves into Sacajawea's capture and travels to the Mandans where she met her husband and later William Clark and Merriwether Lewis. In alternating chapters, they tell Pomp of their adventures going to the Pacific Ocean and back. I listened to this novel which was read by Nicolle Littrell and Michael Radkin. They read as if they were actually speaking to Pomp at Clark's home in St. Louis. At the beginning of Clark's chapter, there would be a journal entry from Clark or Lewis. At the beginning of Sacajawea's chapter there was a short American Indian myth or legend. Students who are fans of historical fiction and adventure will enjoy this novel. Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon has written a beautiful and mysterious series featuring a strange bookstore in Barcelona, Spain, that is hidden away where people rescue books that have been long forgotten. The stories do not center around the bookstore but it appears in all three books.
In Shadow of the Wind, Daniel Sempere is taken to the bookstore by his father in 1945 where he discovers a book called Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax. He loves the book and wants to know more about the author, but he finds himself in danger when someone is going around trying to destroy every copy of the book. The Angel's Game tells the story of David Martin who is a struggling author living in an abandoned mansion. A mysterious publisher offers him a deal he cannot refuse, he jumps at the chance, but is this deal too good to be true? The Prisoner of Heaven takes place in 1957. Daniel is now married and with a infant son. When a stranger comes into their bookstore with a mysterious message for their family friend, Fermin Romero de Torres, Fermin sits down with Daniel and tells him about when he was held prisoner in the 1940s. There in the grotesque prison, he met a writer -- David Martin! Not only are all three novels dark, suspenseful, and beautifully written, what made these books enjoyable to me are the characters. Ruiz Zafon brings them alive so much they grab onto your heart and latch on even after you finished the last page and return the book back on the shelf. I look forward to when The Labyrinth of the Spirits is released in English. Strongly recommend this series to those who like gothic style literature, suspense, and strong characters. |
AuthorMr. Andrusyk is a school librarian at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, Illinois. Past Book RecommendationsClick here to view a listing of Mr. Andrusyk's list of favorite authors, series, fiction, and nonfiction. Archives
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